Electrically-operated railway signal means.



UNITED STATES PATENT ormcn.

GEORGE IE. MERGELL, O-F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICALLY-OPERA'IED RAILWAY SIGNAL- MEANS.

Specification 015351217815 Patent.

Patented July '7, 1914.

Application filed November 20, 1911 Serial No. 661,401.

and has particular reference to an electri cally operated dangersemaphore arm or paddle, which is'adapted to be moved to a concealedposition to exhibit a clear semaphore arm or paddle, and to an exposedposition to conceal the clear semaphore arm 01' paddle, which serves asa support for the former when in its exposed position.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the abovementioned character, which are simple in construction, compact, strong,cheap to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthecourse of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings 1. have illustrated one complete example ofthe physicalembodiment of my invention con structed according to thebest mode I have so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a post and semaphore arm or paddleembodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same.

In the accompanying drawings wherein is depicted a preferred embodimentof the invention, the number 29 designates a hollow post with which isrigidly connected a horizontal clear semaphore arm or paddle 2'30. Thisclear arm or paddle 30 is of course relatively stationary, and ispreferably painted white.

The number 41 designates a vertically swinging danger semaphore arm orpaddle, preferably red in color, and which is an inverted U-shapeddevice to straddle the arm 30 for concealing the same from view and tobe supported thereby. The danger paddle or arm has its inner end mountedwithin the hollow post 29 the same extending through a longitudinalopening or slot 42 as shown.

The number 43 designates a transverse pivot or shaft. attached to theside walls of the post 29. The danger arm or paddle 41 is givotallymounted upon this transverse shaft. ltotatably mounted upon the shaft isa grooved pulley 44, rigidly connected with the arm or paddle 41 by anysuitable means to move therewith. Passed about the pulley 41 and havingproper frictional engagement therewith to move the same, is a cable orcord 45 as shown. One end of this cable or cordis attached to a movablecore 46 of a solenoid 47 as shown; The opposite end of the cable 45 hasa loose connection with a lever 48 pivoted at 49 to a suitable support.The lever 48 is provided with a transverse opening 49 to receive the endof the cable 45 in which a knot 50 is formed to provide an obstructiontoo large to pass through the opening 49 in the lever 48. The outer endof the lever 48 operates within a guide bracket 51 and is limitedthereby in its upward and downward movement.

The number 50 designates a weight, mounted upon the free end of thelever 48, outwardly of the guide bracket 51 as shown.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When the crossing or trackis clear the solenoid 47 is energized and the core 46 is drawn.downwardly. This moves the right portion of the cable in Fig. 1downwardly to swing the arm or paddle 41 through opening 42 into thehollow post 29 concealing the same and exhibiting the clear arm orpaddle 30. Upon the movement of the Gable 45 through the first part ofits travel, the left portion thereof does not move lever 48 upwardly,the initial movement serving to draw the lower end of the cable upwardlyin the opening 49 of the lever. But upon continued upward movement ofthecable the knob or obstruction 50 will engage the lever to elevate thesame. vVhen the crossing or track is in the condition of danger thesolenoid 47 is deenergizedgvhereby the lever 48 is dropped to trip orstart the danger paddle 41 upon its downward movement, and such movementis completed by force of gravity.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by LettersPatent is 1. In electrically operated railway signalmeans, the combination with a hollow supporting post and a stationarysignal arm, of a hollow signal arm pivoted in the post and formed with awheel portion, a pull cord passed over said wheel, a solenoid havmg itscore connected to one end of sald cord for holding the movable arm inthe hollow post, and a Weighted lever attached moving the,

to the other end of the cord for movable arm to obscure the stationaryarm,

when said solenoid is deenergized 2. In electrically operated railwaysignal means, the combination With a suppo-rtthe electrical means isdeenergiz ed.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Washington, 11,6.

, comprising a cord I 3. In electrically operated railtvay signal means,the combination with a hollow supporting post of a st'ationary signalarm and a movable signal arm U-shaped 1n cross section and adapted toincase the stationary arm, mechanism for moving the movable arm toobscure the stationary arm, and electrlcal means to hold the movable armout of operative position and said mechanism arm and to said electricalmeans.

1 In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence oftWoWill-T168888 GEORGE F. MERGELL.

WVitnesses It. COTTON,

FRED HoW AND.

Commissioner of .Eatents,

attached to the movable.

